Page 5
Section 1—
Mechanics: Capitalization and Punctuation
Understanding the basic rules of capitalization is important, and knowing how to punctuate
sentences correctly will help you to write more clearly. This first section consists of five sets of
questions that test your skill at finding mistakes in capitalization and punctuation. In the first set,
you will be looking for errors in capitalization only. In the second and third sets, the errors are in
punctuation only. Sets 4 and 5 ask you to find mistakes in both capitalization and punctuation.
For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org
Page 6
SET 1 (Answers begin on page 123.)
For the following questions, choose the lettered part of the sentence that contains a word that
needs a capital letter. If no additional words should be capitalized, choose answer e.
For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org
Page 7
SET 2 (Answers begin on page 123.)
Choose the punctuation mark that is needed in each of the following sentences. If no additional
punctuation is needed, choose answer e.
9. ''I can't believe it!'' shouted Karen. My blue socks have holes in them!"
a. .
b. ,
c. !
d. "
e. none
10. My three cats, Bubba, Dave, and Roy like liver flavored kitty treats best.
a. ;
b. —
c. !
d. ,
e. none
11. The following are my favorite foods biscuits, gravy, mashed potatoes, and French-cut green

e. none
16. "I wonder" Syad mused, "if he knew what he did was wrong."
a. ?
b. ,
c. :
d. ;
e. none
For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org
Page 8
17. Big Bob Bailey our basketball coach, is the toughest man alive.
a. :
b. ;
c. —
d. ,
e. none
18. My favorite books are ones about skeet shooting it's my favorite sport.
a. ,
b. ?
c. ;
d. !
e. none
For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org
Page 9
SET 3 (Answers begin on page 124.)
Choose the answer that shows the best punctuation for the underlined part of the sentence. If the
sentence is correct as is, choose e.
19. Cats make wonderful pets even though they seem closer to being wild than dogs are.
a. pets, even though, they
b. pets, even though they
c. pets. Even though they

d. people who, are at the back of the line,
e. correct as is
For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org
Page 10
25. The students asked whether I thought there would be a woman president within the next
decade?
a. president within the next decade!
b. president, within the next decade.
c. president within the next decade.
d. president, within the next decade?
e. correct as is
26. This is the first time you have ever been to a major league baseball game, isn't it?
a. game isn't it?
b. game, is'nt it?
c. game, isn't it.
d. game isn't it.
e. correct as is
27. Chicken pox a virus is very contagious.
a. pox, a virus,
b. pox, a virus
c. pox, a virus—
d. pox a virus,
e. correct as is
28. I was born on May 17,1962 in Corvallis, Oregon.
a. May 17 1962 in Corvallis, Oregon.
b. May 17 1962, in Corvallis Oregon.
c. May 17,1962 in Corvallis, Oregon.
d. May 17,1962, in Corvallis, Oregon.
e. correct as is
For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org

b. My Uncle took us to Yankee Stadium.
c. Christina has a Persian cat named Snow ball.
d. No mistakes.
36. a. "I'll come and stay with you, grandma," I said.
b. "Don't ever tell a lie, he warned.
c. "Why won't you play with us?"he asked.
d. No mistakes.
37. a. I always have a hard time getting up in the morning.
b. We took: a tent, a cooler, and a sleeping bag.
c. The fog was as thick as potato soup.
d. No mistakes.
38. a. This is someone elses coat.
b. Which of these songs was recorded by Bruce Springsteen?
c. That book must be yours.
d. No mistakes.
For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org
Page 12
39. a. Don't stand in my way.
b. Cecilia and I fought our way through the crowd.
c. The vegetables were old rubbery and tasteless.
d. No mistakes.
40 a. Remember to walk the dog.
b. "Don't run"! Mr. Ellington shouted.
c. It's supposed to snow today and tomorrow.
d. No mistakes.
41. a. Charleen's parents worried whenever she drove the car.
b. Who designed the Brooklyn Bridge?
c. Diseases like Smallpox and Polio have been eradicated.
d. No mistakes.
42. a. Can you find the Indian ocean on this map?

b. Call me when you feel better.
c. Did you wash your hands, Michael?
d. No mistakes.
50. a. The industrial revolution began in Europe.
b. Is Labor Day a national holiday?
c. General Patton was a four-star genera.
d. No mistakes.
51. a. Carmen brought bread, and butter, and strawberry jam.
b. Let's look at the map.
c. Be sure to thank Aunt Helen for the gift.
d. No mistakes.
52. a. My Aunt Georgia loves to read Eighteenth-Century novels.
b. Eli's sister's cousin lives in Alaska.
c. Is that a German shepherd?
d. No mistakes.
53. a. Those shoes are too expensive.
b. Michael's best friend is Patrick.
c. Did you hear that Inez got a new puppy.
d. No mistakes.
For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org
Page 14
SET 5 (Answers begin on page 125.)
Questions 54–57 are based on the following passage. First read the passage, and then choose the
answer that shows the best capitalization and punctuation for each underlined part.
Madam Helena P. 54) Blavatsky born in Russia on May 8, 1831, claimed to have psychic powers
and to be capable of performing feats of clairvoyance and telepathy. During her 60 years, she
traveled to many 55) countries—including the United States, England, India, and Egypt, in order
to study the occult. Although many considered her a 56) fake throughout her lifetime she was
surrounded by faithful believers, including such influential persons as British statesman Allen O.
Hume and Swedish countess Constance Wachtmeister. To this day, followers commemorate the

Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Dear 59) Mr. fork;
I wish to complain about the door opener you installed in my garage on December 18, 1995. On
January 1, 60) 1996 at 3:00 a.m. I returned home from a celebration at Tucker's Tavern in
downtown Iowa City. When I attempted to enter my garage, the device you installed 61)
malfunctioned and my car crashed into the kitchen of my house. I hope you will make restitution
without my having to take legal action.
Sincerely yours,
Nina Pride
For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org